I love you man. Truly and deeply. You actually reviewed the saw! I know that sounds confusing but hear me out: 99.5% of "reviews" on youtube are glorified unboxings. They read off the specifications on the side of the box as they're showing an image/video of the item in question. That's it, that's the entire review. I'm thinking, "you just got this today, probably haven't even used it yet, and you're "reviewing" it? WTF?! You need to use the item in question for quite a while (weeks, months or years) in order to accurately review a product. And you have -- for 6 years according to your title. But most people don't. And for that, I love you. Keep it up, you have a new subscriber.

You can get an aftermarket arm lift. I have one installed and it works perfectly, no drilling. There are several companies that make them. Best $25 I spent. Have it on for 5years.

I have the DeWalt 788 for 10 plus years. I had to replace the tension wedge and several repairs for a knocking noise. A recent problem I had was the top of the blade was 3/32 of an inch ahead of the bottom of the blade. When cutting a 2” thick piece I could not make internal cuts because the blade didn’t meet the cut line at the top and bottom. To make the blade plumb I had to remove the bolt on the rear table bracket and jack it up to plumb the blade to the table. I slid a wedge under the bracket and used a clamp to secure the table from moving.

At 3:47 your broken blower nozzle just pop that broken segment off and use the next one down the line.

Yes, I have two of them. I have four other scroll saws of different brands, but the DeWalt is by far the most superior and reliable!

I do like this saw, but have to disagree about it being the best ScrollSaw on the Market. It may very well be the "Best saw at it's price point". The arm on the 788 doesn't have a catch to keep it up. These saws are also notorious for excessive blade travel (travel is movement forward and back through the stroke). Also, the on off switch isn't sealed, allowing dust to build up inside and eventually cause issues. I do love the tensioning system on these saws. Though at a much higher price point, I would say the Pegas/Seyco's/Jet/King are better saws, and though way way overpriced, the Hegner is probably better suited for some types of work. Right now, I think Pegas is probably the best choice for "most" serious scrollers. The new Wen saw is probably the best entry saw, and this DW788 is probably the best mid priced saw. The switch itself had had issues on these saws because they don't have a membrane covering them to protect them from dust. Many users use foot switches to turn on and off the saw, which will remove the wear on that upper switch, and in that scenario, you can put tape over the switch to protect it from dust. There are other add-ons to hold the arm up (for bottom feeders), and some users add their own dust collection (scrollnado or makeshift). So, this is truly a great saw, especially at that price point, but not the best for all situations.

I love mine. I have the type 1 and stopped first-time after over 20 years of use.😮

My wife finally talked me into getting this saw. (money very well spent!!!) Huge improvement over my $99 Craftsman 'paint shaker.' I am a wood carver and I usually cut/carve over 100 Christmas ornaments per year...I LOVE the spiral cut blades with 46 tpi. These allow you to cut in ALL directions! Glad I bought it!

Nice review, good information.

Thanks for your report..Want to get into scroll sawing bad. Can't find much current info on brands, options, or vendors. A lot about poor customer service and defects. Thanks again.

The air tube can be reused by cutting out the damaged split first link then you have a new first link. You will need to heat it slightly to make it slip on.

Thank you for the useful points

Very helpful and well-explained

Well, your wife is right. LOL! Appreciate the detailed review with your lil extras notes and tid bits. Those are more valuable than some folks realize and an be life savers.

I've had my DeWalt for over 6 years now as well. Have built numerous fret work clocks with it and still going strong. So things I did to mine to help out: (1) I bought the DeWalt stand for it, but before I bolted the saw to the stand I cut three small pads of of dense foam rubber that matched the feet on the saw. I placed these pads between the saw and the stand and it made quite a bit of difference in the sound being transferred to the metal stand. (2) I originally bought the DeWalt work lamp but quickly discarded that as it was no help at all. (3) I bought the original "Lifter" from Papa's Workshop and consider this one item the must have for the scroll saw! (4) The Pegas scroll saw clamps made for the DeWalt are a marked improvement and the best price I found was at Bear Woods Supply. (5) As I am up in age I needed something to assist the old eyes. I bought the Magnifying LED Work Light Item #57312 from Rockler.com. Its oval shape and bright LED ring make intricate small cuts such a breeze now that I can actually see them! :) (6) Last but not least, I added a 3" thick piece of foam rubber to the cross bar at the base of the stand. Even when sitting at the saw for long hours, that spongy foot rest is greatly appreciated. (7) As for blades, I have tried almost all of the brands. I keep going back to the ones sold by Bear Woods Supply. Much cleaner cuts, smooth turning and very few breaks.

Thanks good info

Blower fix: Pop out the first worn out link. With a lighter or heat gun warm up the next link in line, being careful not to melt it. While it's warm pop it right on and let it cool off. Voila. Worked for me. Try it out

In 25 years of service the only problem I had with my desalt,was a blown fuse,because I tried to over work it ,in 50 years of scrolling I’d say it’s the best mid range saw on the market,hands down

thats for the info. I don't have one but am thinking of getting one thanks

Bought my used, great shape don't use it alot but it's nice when I do.

Just found one on cl for 250 comes with stand to! I think i scored on this one gonna try it out this weekend and do a jigsaw puzzel

I started with a Harbor Freight Central Machinery. If I wanted to change blades I had to use an allen wrench. If I had a lot of interior cut it took awhile. I just purchased a Dewalt DW788 scroll saw. Can wait for it to be delivered.

Great video. Looking to get this soon. I’ve been looking for specs for the base length and can’t find. Would you know what it is ?

We’ve got an old Dremel and it works well enough, but the capacity for larger pieces is less. For the most part though, we are working on smaller stuff when we need a scroll saw, so it’s only been an issue once or twice, as I was shaping a mermaid tail for a vanity table I made for my granddaughter. Once I took the time to learn about the different types of blades and when to use them, I found that I use it more often and have much less frustration. Thanks for this honest overview. You always do a great job of putting lots of information into a concise video. 🙂

Woodshop free in my library, Fl. This is only ones in the shop. As new scroller, i like the speed control,blower, and large base. It has held up for years. Dust collector would be useful. They have vacuum hose area built in walls. Awsome tax dollars at work. We have everything 2 or 3 of all big tools. Not allowed to use table saw. Master woodmakers volunteers. Twice a week open build. 67 women loving learning a new hobby.

I have recommended this saw to friends and they like it. I bought a Delta 19” scroll saw 30 years ago and still use it a lot. I am used to the c-arm design but do need to cautious on thick cuts. I keep thinking about getting the Dewalt 788 but the Delta just keeps plugging along so will keep,it for now. Great video and I shared it with friends

For some reason I seem to be an odd ball? I have had a Dremel scroll saw for about 20 years--it has thousands of hours on it. A few years ago I decided to "upgrade" to a Dewalt. I owned it for less than 2 months. Although it was a larger saw than my 16 inch Dremel, I found it more difficult to change blades. I do not like the fact it has no dust collection port. I am in Canada and really do not like the price in my area. Also, my Dremel will cut thicker wood. I have to give Dewalt credit for the placement and size of the on/off switch--Dremel is a little awkward. I am sad that Dremel has not made, and when I talked to them about a year ago, has no plans to make them again, as eventually I will wear mine out. Dremel is owned by Bosch. I have several Bosch power tools and they seem to be fairly high quality. Again--I seem to be an odd ball but I do not like the Dewalt scroll saw.

Best scroll saw i have ever used. 5 stars

Hello from New Hampshire, I watched your video as my machine is about 7 years old, but I have about 40 hours if that on the device. 1 day it worked perfectly and the next it didn't, so I automatically thought it was the motor, but watching your video about the on/iff switch disconnecting, I tried with all of the hex keys to remove the bolts. I would like to know the size hex key you used, as I have no idea the EXACT size. Some come very close, but do not seat all the way in,. Could you provid me the specifi size hex key please, thanks Richard

Yeah I have had plenty of scrollsaws of different brands but I got a rbi hawk 226vs and it is so smooth and quiet and best of all made in usa

Thank you

Boght a used 788 with a split bellowes. Can someone explain the replacement procedure?

So is this worth buying over Harbor Freights one I'm on a budget it's just for diy stuff crafts lol

I own this scroll saw as well. Haven't used it much yet, but I had a couple comments. The first is WHY NO DUST COLLECTION! What a idiotic oversight... This would have made the saw nearly perfect. The second item is probably contrary to most. I actually wish that Dewalt made a smaller version. I don't need 20" (esp. with a spiral blade), and the 20" saw is just bigger enough (over a 16" saw) that it makes storing it in my garage a headache.

After 31 years of daily use the only problem I ever had with this saw,was when I blew a fuzze trueing to cut 1/2 “ steel I was forced to sell it when I was put in a nursing home due to a catastrophic illness

Very similar to the Delta 20inch scroll saw 40-694

I might be picking one of these up over the weekend. Has anyone added a foot pedal to it so that you can keep both hands focused on the workpiece?

I love mine I put a clamp on the air hose

have you had any problems with the aggresive cut and did you correct it on your saw,,,,

I’ve had the dewalt scroll saw now for 15 years. Same problem with the blower staying intact where it connects to the saw. I resolved the problem with a small stainless steel pipe clamp. Haven’t had a problem since.

Put a clamp on the air hose and it will not come off again

Go to a machine shop supply center and you will fined your blower hose aka cooling hose

Should I get this or the ryobi one?

I'm a High School woodshop teacher and we have four of these in our shop. They all have the same problem when you tighten the tension to 5, the arm loosens. Or when students are cutting, the tension will suddenly loosen and either blade breaks or it comes off the clamp. It's annoying and I'm not sure how to fix it.

💖

After many students have used my DeWalt SS, the part that holds the blade in place allows the blade to slip out. Frustrating for so many students and myself. Does anyone have a fix for this??

With more then 51 years behined a scroll saw ,I am in love with pagos scrollsaw blades,also on portraits I use a size 0 reverse tooth spiral blade saves loads of time

HOw do you fix the " knocking".???? Seems to be in the head rather than the back.

I have the exact dewalt. My problem is that 5 inch blades don't fit. It's like the upper arm and lower arm are too far apart. Driving me to tears! I want to scroll so bad!

no dust collection port or capability on this model????

I got my dewalt at a factory outlet center for half price

Just bought a new one from a guy for $200. It'is missing the hold down foot.

Dying dutchman sells both

How much cost sir

Video for head lifter: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gtWjnaqLs9nUo30.html

The cons you mentioned are not even worth mentioning.

Thank you